Medicinial Vial Protector and Identifier System

ABSTRACT

A medicinal vial protector and identifier system has a holding vessel, an interior cavity designed to hold a medicinal vial, an exterior sidewall that can be easily identified by a person, a plurality of retaining ribs designed to retain the vial within the holding vessel and facilitate insertion and removal of the vial, and at least one contents porthole to allow an easy determination of the amount of materials contained in the vial while the vial remains safely ensconced within the holding vessel. Additionally, a bottom port can be incorporated which facilitates the easy removal of the vial from the holding vessel. In order to facilitate identification of the medicine within a vial stored inside the holding vessel, the exterior sidewall of the holding vessel can be distinctly shaped and colored. The system can include a plurality of vessels to distinguish multiple medicinal vials from one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit ofU.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/699,824 entitled INSUCOZIand filed on Jan. 30, 2007, which is specifically incorporated herein byreference for all that it discloses and teaches.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the health care field and, inparticular, to a medicinal vial protector and identifier system.

BACKGROUND

The number of medicines and treatments for conditions and diseases hasgrown dramatically in recent years. Consequently, there are a growingnumber of people (and animals) who require periodic treatments withmedicines that are stored and transported in standard medicinal vials.For example, the treatment of diabetes often requires the administrationof insulin which is delivered to patients in medicinal vials. As thisdisease continues to proliferate, more and more people are handling andusing medicinal vials for their insulin treatments. Because manymedicinal vials have been standardized into a generic size and shape, itcan often be difficult for people to distinguish one vial from another.Furthermore, because the vials are often made of glass or otherrelatively fragile materials, they must be handled with care to avoidbreakage. Additionally, the glass vials are small, difficult to holdonto, and quickly warm when removed from refrigeration (as somemedicines require). What is needed is a medicinal vial protector andidentifier system that addresses the above limitations and problems.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention described and claimed hereinaddress the foregoing limitations and problems by providing a medicinalvial protector and identifier system. The present invention comprises atleast a holding vessel made of an impact resistant/absorbent materialhaving an interior cavity designed to hold a medicinal vial, an exteriorsidewall that can be easily identified by a person, a plurality ofretaining ribs designed to retain the vial within the holding vessel andfacilitate insertion and removal of the vial by a person, a contentsporthole to allow the simple determination of the amount of materialscontained in the vial at a given time without removing the vial from theholding vessel, and a bottom port to further facilitate the easy removalof the vial from the holding vessel by a person. In order to facilitateidentification of the medicine within a vial stored inside the holdingvessel, the exterior sidewall of the holding vessel should be distinctlyshaped and colored.

The plurality of retaining ribs provide a myriad of important functions.First, they serve to retain the vial within the holding vessel. The ribsare shaped to conform to the surface of the vial and extend over theneck of the vial, thereby holding the vial securely within the vessel.However, because the ribs do no contact the entire surface of the vial,they do not grasp the vial too firmly. Beverage can insulation devicesin the prior art are well known, and similarly well known is the problemthey have of grasping the can too firmly, making insertion and removaldifficult. Additionally, because only the retaining ribs contact themedicinal vial, there is an extra amount of impact resistance added tothe system as the holding vessel sidewall can bend and deform in the gapbetween the sidewall and the vial without transferring that energydirectly to the medicinal vial. Finally, because only the relativelysmall amount of material that makes up the retaining ribs (versus theentire interior surface area of the sidewall) contacts the vial,insertion and removal of the vial is much easier.

One embodiment has a three holding vessel system in which a first vesselhas a rounded, cylindrical sidewall colored red, a second vessel has aquadrilateral sidewall colored blue, and a third vessel has a hexagonalsidewall colored yellow. The shapes of the aforementioned sidewallsdescribe cross-sections taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis anddetail the exterior perimeter shapes. In other embodiments, the shapescan be other shapes such as triangular, octagonal, pentagonal, diamond,irregular polygons, curves, etc. Similarly, the colors can be othercolors such as green, orange, purple, brown, white, black, etc. One goalof the system is to provide a plurality of holding vessels that can beidentified by touch alone, another is to identify them by sight alone,and yet another is to use both senses to facilitate identification. Inyet another embodiment, a small device is attached to the holding vesselwhich produces a sound upon activation by a person which can be used toidentify the vessel—such aural identification means can be used in placeof or in addition to the aforesaid touch and/or sight identificationmeans. Other identification means are contemplated, such as a strongsmell being integrated with a given holding vessel or the integration offlavors into holding vessels that can be tasted by licking a vessel.

The present invention provides many benefits over the prior art. Amedicinal vial protector and identifier system allows patients to easilydistinguish between two or more vials to ensure that they administer theright medication. Similarly, patients who are either lacking ordeficient in one or more of their five senses can instead rely on one ormore of their other senses to identify their medicinal vials. Forexample, a diabetic person who is blind can grasp one of the holdingvessels in the medicinal vial protector and identifier system andquickly and easily determine that it is hexagonal in shape (forexample), which means it holds a particular type of insulin. Further, ifthe person were to drop or knock vials into each other or other things,the impact resistant/absorbing material(s) that make up the holdingvessels (as well as the gap between interior sidewall and the vial) helpto protect the medicinal vial stored within and lessen the chances ofbreaking the vial and destroying its contents. Since the vial protectorand identifier system can utilize materials that are shock-absorbent andprovide an improved gripping surface the chances of dropping andbreaking the vials are reduced. Finally, because the holding vesselssurround the vials, they help to insulate them as well.

In another embodiment, the vial protector and identifier system iscalled InsuCozi and a user can put different types of insulin medicinalvials in the different holding vessels. The InsuCozis cover the insulinvials used by a diabetic patient and allow him or her to identify andprotect their insulin vials. The insulin vials used by diabetics aregenerally small glass bottles of approximately ten milliliters ofcapacity that must be kept cool and used in proportion to the patient'smedical needs. The InsuCozis allow the patient to identify each of theinsulins he or she may be using, and the silicone rubber texture (orother materials having similar properties) allows the patient to holdonto the vial easier while preparing the injection. Furthermore, theholding vessels further function to insulate the covered vials in orderto keep them cool longer.

The invention is motivated by the medical industry's need for diabeticpatients to make sure they are using the correct insulin, as well asensure their insulin vials are protected from air temperature andbreakage due to dropping or otherwise impacting the vials. The standardinsulin vial is small and difficult to handle, and is nondescript makingit difficult to identify the contents. A blind diabetic has no way ofknowing if they are receiving the correct amount of the prescribedinsulin. However, once one or more vials are used with the medicinalvial protector and identifier system, the vials are covered by holdingvessels that have unique properties that facilitate identification ofthe vial contained within each holding vessel, protect the vials,insulate them, and allow patients to grip them more securely.

In one embodiment, a holding vessel's elasticity allows it to expand andcontract enough for ease of receiving a medicinal vial, yet form-fittingso the vial will not escape until intended by a patient. In anotherembodiment, internal retention ribs are used to conform to the shape ofa medicinal vial to retain it within the holding vessel. In such anembodiment either the retention ribs themselves or the body of theholding vessel (or both) can deform slightly in order to allow theinsertion of the medicinal vial into the holding vessel and then one (orboth) return to shape once the vial is properly placed within the vesselin order to retain and secure the vial in place. Additionally, thebottom of the holding vessel can incorporate an open end or bottom portto allow for inserting or removing the vial. In yet another embodiment,the bottom port is not large enough to allow passage of the vialtherethrough but instead functions as an access port to allow the bottomof the vial to be pushed on during the removal process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned and other features and objects of the presentinvention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent andthe invention itself will be best understood by reference to thefollowing descriptions of a preferred embodiment and other embodimentstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodimentof a medicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting amedicinal vial being inserted into an exemplary holding vessel;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a four-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel;

FIG. 2B illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a six-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel;

FIG. 2C illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a one-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel;

FIG. 3A illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a four-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel;

FIG. 3B illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a six-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel;

FIG. 3C illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a one-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel;

FIG. 4A illustrates a front perspective cross-sectional view of one halfof a six-sided embodiment of an exemplary holding vessel of a medicinalvial protector and identifier system;

FIG. 4B illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodimentof a retaining rib;

FIG. 5A illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting athree-sided embodiment of an exemplary holding vessel; and

FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a five-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A medicinal vial protector and identifier system can comprise a singleholding vessel or it can comprise two or more holding vessels, whereinthe shapes of the outside perimeters of the sidewalls are differentbetween the vessels. For example, a two-vessel system could have a firstvessel that has a rounded, cylindrically shaped sidewall and a secondvessel that has a four-sided, square shaped sidewall. The first vesselcould then contain a first type of medicine and the second could containa second type of medicine. A patient can then very easily tell thedifference between the two medicines simply by looking at or feeling theexternal shapes of the two sidewalls: the rounded vessel containsmedicine 1 and the squared vessel contains medicine 2. Identification inthis manner is much simpler than trying to read the small print on thelabels of the medicine vials. This is especially true if, for example,the patient is blind.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodimentof a medicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting amedicinal vial 190 being inserted into an exemplary holding vessel 110.The direction of insertion is indicated by the broken-line arrow 192.

The holding vessel 110 has a sidewall 111 that extends longitudinallyfrom the bottom end 112 to the top end 113. The sidewall is verygenerally cylindrical in shape, although an outside perimeter of ahorizontal cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis(i.e., the axis extending from the center of the bottom end 112 to thecenter of the top end 113) can have any regular or irregular shape. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sidewall has a cross-sectional shaperesembling a six-sided figure or hexagon. In another embodiment, thesix-sided figure can be an irregularly shaped hexagon. In yet otherembodiments, the outside perimeter shape of the sidewall 111cross-section can be other shapes.

The top end 113 of the vessel 110 highlights the six-sided shape of thesidewall illustrated in FIG. 1. The top end 113 functions to transitionbetween the outside perimeter of the sidewall 111 and the inside cavity120 of the vessel 110. The top end 113 has a top opening 125 whichallows access to the inside cavity 120. In one embodiment, a medicinalvial can be inserted and removed via the top opening 125. In anotherembodiment, a medicinal vial is inserted and removed via a bottom port(see FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C).

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the inside cavity 120 of the vessel 110 isshaped so as to receive and encompass the main body of the medicinalvial 190. At least a portion of the neck 194 and cap 196 of the vial 190extend out above the top end 113 of the vessel 110 when the vial 190 isproperly positioned within the inside cavity 120 of the vessel 110, in apreferred embodiment. In other embodiments, the neck 194 and/or cap 196may not extend above the top end 113 of the vessel 110.

Also illustrated in FIG. 1 are a first contents porthole 114 and asecond contents porthole 115. These gaps in the sidewall 111 serve toallow a person to view the side of the medicinal vial 190 in order todetermine the contents thereof and the approximate amount of contentsheld in the vial 190. As most vials hold a medicinal liquid, it shouldbe apparent that the level of liquid held in a clear vial 190 can bediscerned when one examines the side of a vial 190 held generallyupright. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of contentsportholes 114 and 115 are shown. In other embodiments, one, two, threeor more contents portholes 114 and 115 can be incorporated into theholding vessel 110. Although the contents portholes 114 and 115 of FIG.1 are shown as gaps in the sidewall 111, in other embodiments they couldbe constructed out of transparent or translucent materials instead ofbeing gaps in the sidewalls 111. In yet other embodiments, multiple gapsor contents portholes can be incorporated into the sidewall rather thansingle, long contents portholes 114 and 115.

The tops of a plurality of retaining ribs 130 are illustrated in FIG. 1.The retaining ribs 130 have a number of functions. First, the pluralityof retaining ribs 130 function to hold a vial 190 within a holdingvessel 110. The ribs 130 have a protrusion near the top which extendsover the top of the side of the vial 190 and contacts the neck 194 ofthe vial 190. This protrusion serves to retain the vial 190. However,because the plurality of retaining ribs 130 can deform (and/or thesidewall 111 to which they are attached can deform), the vial 190 can beeasily inserted into the holding vessel 110 by pushing the tops of theplurality of retaining ribs 130 out of the way. The tops move back intoposition encasing the vial 190 once the vial 190 is correctly positionedwithin the holding vessel 110. The plurality of retaining ribs 130 alsoserve to create a space between the interior surface of the sidewall 111and the exterior surface of the vial 190. This space helps to furtherprotect the vials from damage caused by external impacts to the sidewall111. Having a space between the vial 190 and the sidewall 111 also easesthe process of insertion and removal of the vial 190 from the holdingvessel 110.

FIG. 2A illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a four-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel 210. The top plan viewillustrates the general shape of the outside perimeter of the sidewall211. In the case of FIG. 2A, said shape is that of a four-sided polygon.In the embodiment in FIG. 2A, the polygon is a quadrilateral or squareshape. In other embodiments, other shapes are contemplated.

FIG. 2A also depicts the top end 213 of the holding vessel 210. In thegenerally square-shaped sidewall 211 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A,the interior cavity 220 is generally square-shaped as well. However, theinterior cavity 220 could have other shapes in other embodiments, suchas the generally cylindrical shapes of the interior cavities 220 shownin FIGS. 2B and 2C.

The plurality of retaining ribs 230 are illustrated in FIG. 2A. Theseribs 230 function to retain the vial inside the interior cavity 220. Thetops of the ribs 230 are the only portions visible in FIGS. 2A-C. For amore complete illustration of the shape of the retaining ribs 230, seeFIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 2A also illustrates the bottom end 212 of the holding vessel 210.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the bottom end 212 incorporates abottom port 219 to allow the bottom of the vial to be pushed on duringthe removal process. In another embodiment no such bottom port 219 isutilized. In yet another embodiment, the bottom port 219 is large enoughto allow passage of the vial therethrough, thereby allowing the vial tobe inserted and removed from the bottom end 212 of the holding vessel210. In such a case, the bottom port 219 would need to be somewhatelastic to ensure that the vial can not slip out through the bottom port219 when the user wishes for it to be retained within the vessel 210.

FIG. 2B illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a six-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel 210. The top plan viewillustrates the general shape of the outside perimeter of the sidewall211. In the case of FIG. 2B, said shape is that of a six-sided polygon.In the embodiment in FIG. 2B, the polygon is a hexagon. In otherembodiments, other shapes are contemplated.

FIG. 2B also depicts the top end 213 of the holding vessel 210. In thegenerally hexagonally shaped sidewall 211 of the embodiment shown inFIG. 2B, the interior cavity 220 is generally cylindrically shaped.However, the interior cavity 220 could have other shapes in otherembodiments, such as the generally square shape of the interior cavity220 shown in FIG. 2A.

The plurality of retaining ribs 230 are illustrated in FIG. 2B as well.These ribs 230 function to retain the vial inside the interior cavity220. The tops of the ribs 230 are the only portions visible in FIGS.2A-C. For a more complete illustration of the shape of the retainingribs 230, see FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 2B also illustrates the bottom end 212 of the holding vessel 210.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the bottom end 212 incorporates abottom port 219 to allow the bottom of the vial to be pushed on duringthe removal process. In another embodiment no such bottom port 219 isutilized. In yet another embodiment, the bottom port 219 is large enoughto allow passage of the vial therethrough, thereby allowing the vial tobe inserted and removed from the bottom end 212 of the holding vessel210. In such a case, the bottom port 219 would need to be somewhatelastic to ensure that the vial can not slip out through the bottom port219 when the user wishes for it to be retained within the vessel 210.

FIG. 2C illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting asingle-sided embodiment of an exemplary holding vessel 210. The top planview illustrates the general shape of the outside perimeter of thesidewall 211. In the case of FIG. 2C, said shape is that of a circle. Inother embodiments, other shapes are contemplated, including, but notlimited to, an oval, square, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, etc.

FIG. 2C also depicts the top end 213 of the holding vessel 210. In thegenerally circular shaped sidewall 211 of the embodiment shown in FIG.2C, the interior cavity 220 is generally cylindrically shaped as well.However, the interior cavity 220 could have other shapes in otherembodiments, such as the generally square shape of the interior cavity220 shown in FIG. 2A.

The plurality of retaining ribs 230 are illustrated in FIG. 2C as well.These ribs 230 function to retain the vial inside the interior cavity220. The tops of the ribs 230 are the only portions visible in FIGS.2A-C. For a more complete illustration of the shape of the retainingribs 230, see FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 2C also illustrates the bottom end 212 of the holding vessel 210.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, the bottom end 212 incorporates abottom port 219 to allow the bottom of the vial to be pushed on duringthe removal process. In another embodiment, no such bottom port 219 isutilized. In yet another embodiment, the bottom port 219 is large enoughto allow passage of the vial therethrough, thereby allowing the vial tobe inserted and removed from the bottom end 212 of the holding vessel210. In such a case, the bottom port 219 would need to be somewhatelastic to ensure that the vial can not slip out through the bottom port219 when the user wishes for it to be retained within the vessel 210.

FIG. 3A illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a four-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel 310. The sidewall 311 is shownin FIG. 3A as having a generally square, four-sided outside perimeter.Other shapes are contemplated. The bottom end 312 is illustrated ashaving a generally flat surface containing a bottom port 319. Asdiscussed above, the bottom port 319 may be larger, smaller, ornonexistent in other embodiments. Similarly, the surface of the bottomend 312 may not be generally flat in other embodiments. The plurality ofcontents portholes 314 and 315 shown in FIG. 3A are depicted as gaps inthe sidewall 311 extending all the way through the bottom end 312. Inother embodiments, the contents portholes 314 and 315 do not extendthrough the bottom end 312. In yet other embodiments, the contentsportholes 314 and 315 are fewer or greater in number, and can betranslucent or transparent areas rather than gaps.

FIG. 3B illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a six-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel 310. The sidewall 311 is shownin FIG. 3B as having a generally six-sided outside perimeter. Othershapes are contemplated. The bottom end 312 is illustrated as having agenerally flat surface containing a bottom port 319. As discussed above,the bottom port 319 may be larger, smaller, or nonexistent in otherembodiments. Similarly, the surface of the bottom end 312 may not begenerally flat in other embodiments. The plurality of contents portholes314 and 315 shown in FIG. 3B are depicted as gaps in the sidewall 311extending all the way through the bottom end 312. In other embodiments,the contents portholes 314 and 315 do not extend through the bottom end312. In yet other embodiments, the contents portholes 314 and 315 arefewer or greater in number, and can be translucent or transparent areasrather than gaps.

FIG. 3C illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a one-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel 310. The sidewall 311 shown inFIG. 3C is generally in the shape of a cylinder and, as such, it has agenerally curved, one-sided outside perimeter. Here, the perimeter is inthe form of a circle. Other shapes are contemplated. The bottom end 312is illustrated as having a generally flat surface containing a bottomport 319. As discussed above, the bottom port 319 may be larger,smaller, or nonexistent in other embodiments. Similarly, the surface ofthe bottom end 312 may not be generally flat in other embodiments. Theplurality of contents portholes 314 and 315 shown in FIG. 3C aredepicted as gaps in the sidewall 311 extending all the way through thebottom end 312. In other embodiments, the contents portholes 314 and 315do not extend through the bottom end 312. In yet other embodiments, thecontents portholes 314 and 315 are fewer or greater in number, and canbe translucent or transparent areas rather than gaps.

FIG. 4A illustrates a front perspective cross-sectional view ofapproximately one-half of a six-sided embodiment of an exemplary holdingvessel 410 of a medicinal vial protector and identifier system. Thecross-section is taken parallel to the longitudinal axis and slightly infront of the center point of the top end 413 and bottom end 412. Thiswas done in order to illustrate the general size and shape of theplurality of retaining ribs 430.

FIG. 4A provides a more clear view of the interior surface of thesidewall 411 (for a view of the exterior surface of the sidewall, seeFIG. 1). The interior surface surrounds the inside cavity and definesthe shape thereof. A plurality of retaining ribs 430 run longitudinallyup the interior surface of the sidewall 411. As can be seen in FIG. 4A,the tops of the plurality of retaining ribs 430 have a protrusion thatfits over the top of the vial and in contact with the neck of the vial.This helps to retain the vial inside the interior cavity 420 of thevessel 410. Also shown in FIG. 4A is one of the contents portholes 415,the sidewall 411, the bottom port 419, the top end 413 and the bottomend 412.

FIG. 4B illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodimentof a retaining rib 430. The retaining rib 430 has a top portion 431 anda main body portion 433. The top portion 431 is shaped with a protrusion432 that extends inward towards the center of the inside cavity so as tofit over a portion of the neck of a medicinal vial. The main bodyportion 433 is made up of a proximal body portion 434 and a distal bodyportion 435. The retaining rib 430 can decrease in thickness from thetop of the proximal body portion 434 to the bottom of the distal bodyportion 435 as shown in FIG. 4B. In other embodiments, the retaining rib430 can have the same or increasing thickness from the proximal portion434 to the distal portion 435.

FIG. 5A illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting athree-sided embodiment of an exemplary holding vessel 510. The sidewall511 is shown in FIG. 5A as having a generally triangular, three-sidedoutside perimeter. Other shapes are contemplated. The bottom end 512 isillustrated as having a generally flat surface containing a bottom port519. As discussed above, the bottom port 519 may be larger, smaller, ornonexistent in other embodiments. Similarly, the surface of the bottomend 512 may not be generally flat in other embodiments. The plurality ofcontents portholes 514 and 515 shown in FIG. 5A are depicted as gaps inthe sidewall 511 extending all the way through the bottom end 512. Inother embodiments, the contents portholes 514 and 515 do not extendthrough the bottom end 512. In yet other embodiments, the contentsportholes 514 and 515 are fewer or greater in number, and can betranslucent or transparent areas rather than gaps.

FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of amedicinal vial protector and identifier system highlighting a five-sidedembodiment of an exemplary holding vessel 510. The sidewall 511 is shownin FIG. 5B as having a generally pentangular, five-sided outsideperimeter. Other shapes are contemplated. The bottom end 512 isillustrated as having a generally flat surface containing a bottom port519. As discussed above, the bottom port 519 may be larger, smaller, ornonexistent in other embodiments. Similarly, the surface of the bottomend 512 may not be generally flat in other embodiments. The plurality ofcontents portholes 514 and 515 shown in FIG. 5B are depicted as gaps inthe sidewall 511 extending all the way through the bottom end 512. Inother embodiments, the contents portholes 514 and 515 do not extendthrough the bottom end 512. In yet other embodiments, the contentsportholes 514 and 515 are fewer or greater in number, and can betranslucent or transparent areas rather than gaps.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been described anddisclosed in the present application, it should be understood that anynumber of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.Accordingly, it is not the intention of this application to limit thisinvention in any way except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but alsoall equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseembodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usagementioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, andexamples for, the invention are described above for illustrativepurposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scopeof the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied toother systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elementsand acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may makechanges to the invention. While the detailed description outlinespossible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, theinvention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementationdetails may vary considerably while still being encompassed by thespirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussedherein, specific terminology used when describing certain features oraspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specificcharacteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which thatterminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventorreserves the right to add additional claims after filing the applicationto pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of theinvention.

The above specification, examples and data provide a description of thestructure and use of exemplary embodiments of the described articles ofmanufacture and methods. Many embodiments can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A medicinal vial protector and identifier system, comprising: aholding vessel having a top end, a bottom end and a sidewall extendinggenerally longitudinally from the bottom end to the top end; thesidewall having an exterior surface and an interior surface; an insidecavity shaped so as to encompass a main body of a medicinal vial, theinside cavity located within the holding vessel and being completelysurrounded by the top end, the bottom end, and the sidewall; the top endhaving a top opening which allows access to the inside cavity; thebottom end having a bottom port which allows access to the insidecavity; a first contents porthole extending longitudinally within thesidewall and positioned to allow a person to view the inside cavitythrough the sidewall; a plurality of retaining ribs extendinglongitudinally up the interior surface of the sidewall, the plurality ofretaining ribs each having a top portion, the top portion having aprotrusion which extends inwards into the inside cavity and fitssecurely over a neck of a medicinal vial placed within the insidecavity; the plurality of retaining ribs each further comprising aproximal body portion and a distal body portion, the proximal bodyportion located in proximity to the top end and the distal body portionlocated in proximity to the bottom end; and wherein the sidewall has anexternal perimeter.
 2. The medicinal vial protector and identifiersystem of claim 1 wherein the external perimeter has the general shapeof a six-sided polygon.
 3. The medicinal vial protector and identifiersystem of claim 1 wherein the external perimeter has the general shapeof a four-sided polygon.
 4. The medicinal vial protector and identifiersystem of claim 1 wherein the external perimeter has the general shapeof a circle.
 5. The medicinal vial protector and identifier system ofclaim 1 wherein the external perimeter has the general shape of athree-sided polygon.
 6. The medicinal vial protector and identifiersystem of claim 1 wherein the external perimeter has the general shapeof a five-sided polygon.
 7. A medicinal vial protector and identifiersystem, comprising: a first holding vessel having a first top end, afirst bottom end and a first sidewall extending generally longitudinallyfrom the first bottom end to the first top end; the first sidewallhaving a first exterior surface and a first interior surface; a firstinside cavity shaped so as to encompass a main body of a medicinal vial,the first inside cavity located within the first holding vessel andbeing completely surrounded by the first top end, the first bottom end,and the first sidewall; the first top end having a first top openingwhich allows access to the first inside cavity; the first bottom endhaving a first bottom port which allows access to the inside cavity; afirst contents porthole extending longitudinally within the firstsidewall and positioned to allow a person to view the first insidecavity through the first sidewall; a first plurality of retaining ribsextending longitudinally up the first interior surface of the firstsidewall, the first plurality of retaining ribs each having a first topportion, the first top portion having a first protrusion which extendsinwards into the first inside cavity and fits securely over a neck of amedicinal vial placed within the first inside cavity; the firstplurality of retaining ribs each further comprising a first proximalbody portion and a first distal body portion, the first proximal bodyportion located in proximity to the first top end and the first distalbody portion located in proximity to the first bottom end; wherein thefirst sidewall has a first external perimeter; a second holding vesselhaving a second top end, a second bottom end and a second sidewallextending generally longitudinally from the second bottom end to thesecond top end; the second sidewall having a second exterior surface anda second interior surface; a second inside cavity shaped so as toencompass a main body of a medicinal vial, the second inside cavitylocated within the second holding vessel and being completely surroundedby the second top end, the second bottom end, and the second sidewall;the second top end having a second top opening which allows access tothe second inside cavity; the second bottom end having a second bottomport which allows access to the inside cavity; a second contentsporthole extending longitudinally within the second sidewall andpositioned to allow a person to view the second inside cavity throughthe second sidewall; a second plurality of retaining ribs extendinglongitudinally up the second interior surface of the second sidewall,the second plurality of retaining ribs each having a second top portion,the second top portion having a second protrusion which extends inwardsinto the second inside cavity and fits securely over a neck of amedicinal vial placed within the second inside cavity; the secondplurality of retaining ribs each further comprising a second proximalbody portion and a second distal body portion, the second proximal bodyportion located in proximity to the second top end and the second distalbody portion located in proximity to the second bottom end; wherein thesecond sidewall has a second external perimeter; and wherein the firstexternal perimeter is shaped differently from the second externalperimeter.
 8. The medicinal vial protector and identifier system ofclaim 7 wherein the first external perimeter has the general shape of acircle and the second external perimeter has the general shape of afour-sided polygon.
 9. The medicinal vial protector and identifiersystem of claim 7 wherein the first external perimeter has the generalshape of a circle and the second external perimeter has the generalshape of a six-sided polygon.
 10. The medicinal vial protector andidentifier system of claim 7 wherein the first external perimeter hasthe general shape of a circle and the second external perimeter has thegeneral shape of a three-sided polygon.
 11. The medicinal vial protectorand identifier system of claim 7 wherein the first external perimeterhas the general shape of a four-sided polygon and the second externalperimeter has the general shape of a six-sided polygon.
 12. Themedicinal vial protector and identifier system of claim 7 wherein thefirst external perimeter has the general shape of a four-sided polygonand the second external perimeter has the general shape of a five-sidedpolygon.
 13. The medicinal vial protector and identifier system of claim7 wherein the first external perimeter has the general shape of afour-sided polygon and the second external perimeter has the generalshape of a three-sided polygon.
 14. The medicinal vial protector andidentifier system of claim 7 wherein the first external perimeter hasthe general shape of a six-sided polygon and the second externalperimeter has the general shape of a five-sided polygon.
 15. Themedicinal vial protector and identifier system of claim 7 wherein thefirst external perimeter has the general shape of a six-sided polygonand the second external perimeter has the general shape of a three-sidedpolygon.
 16. A medicinal vial protector and identifier system,comprising: a first holding vessel having a first top end, a firstbottom end and a first sidewall extending generally longitudinally fromthe first bottom end to the first top end; the first sidewall having afirst exterior surface and a first interior surface; a first insidecavity shaped so as to encompass a main body of a medicinal vial, thefirst inside cavity located within the first holding vessel and beingcompletely surrounded by the first top end, the first bottom end, andthe first sidewall; the first top end having a first top opening whichallows access to the first inside cavity; the first bottom end having afirst bottom port which allows access to the inside cavity; a firstcontents porthole extending longitudinally within the first sidewall andpositioned to allow a person to view the first inside cavity through thefirst sidewall; a first plurality of retaining ribs extendinglongitudinally up the first interior surface of the first sidewall, thefirst plurality of retaining ribs each having a first top portion, thefirst top portion having a first protrusion which extends inwards intothe first inside cavity and fits securely over a neck of a medicinalvial placed within the first inside cavity; the first plurality ofretaining ribs each further comprising a first proximal body portion anda first distal body portion, the first proximal body portion located inproximity to the first top end and the first distal body portion locatedin proximity to the first bottom end; wherein the first sidewall has afirst external perimeter; a second holding vessel having a second topend, a second bottom end and a second sidewall extending generallylongitudinally from the second bottom end to the second top end; thesecond sidewall having a second exterior surface and a second interiorsurface; a second inside cavity shaped so as to encompass a main body ofa medicinal vial, the second inside cavity located within the secondholding vessel and being completely surrounded by the second top end,the second bottom end, and the second sidewall; the second top endhaving a second top opening which allows access to the second insidecavity; the second bottom end having a second bottom port which allowsaccess to the inside cavity; a second contents porthole extendinglongitudinally within the second sidewall and positioned to allow aperson to view the second inside cavity through the second sidewall; asecond plurality of retaining ribs extending longitudinally up thesecond interior surface of the second sidewall, the second plurality ofretaining ribs each having a second top portion, the second top portionhaving a second protrusion which extends inwards into the second insidecavity and fits securely over a neck of a medicinal vial placed withinthe second inside cavity; the second plurality of retaining ribs eachfurther comprising a second proximal body portion and a second distalbody portion, the second proximal body portion located in proximity tothe second top end and the second distal body portion located inproximity to the second bottom end; wherein the second sidewall has asecond external perimeter; a third holding vessel having a third topend, a third bottom end and a third sidewall extending generallylongitudinally from the third bottom end to the third top end; the thirdsidewall having a third exterior surface and a third interior surface; athird inside cavity shaped so as to encompass a main body of a medicinalvial, the third inside cavity located within the third holding vesseland being completely surrounded by the third top end, the third bottomend, and the third sidewall; the third top end having a third topopening which allows access to the third inside cavity; the third bottomend having a third bottom port which allows access to the inside cavity;a third contents porthole extending longitudinally within the thirdsidewall and positioned to allow a person to view the third insidecavity through the third sidewall; a third plurality of retaining ribsextending longitudinally up the third interior surface of the thirdsidewall, the third plurality of retaining ribs each having a third topportion, the third top portion having a third protrusion which extendsinwards into the third inside cavity and fits securely over a neck of amedicinal vial placed within the third inside cavity; the thirdplurality of retaining ribs each further comprising a third proximalbody portion and a third distal body portion, the third proximal bodyportion located in proximity to the third top end and the third distalbody portion located in proximity to the third bottom end; wherein thethird sidewall has a third external perimeter; and wherein the firstexternal perimeter, the second external perimeter, and the thirdexternal perimeter are all shaped differently from one another.
 17. Themedicinal vial protector and identifier system of claim 16 wherein thefirst external perimeter has the general shape of a circle, the secondexternal perimeter has the general shape of a four-sided polygon, andthe third external perimeter has the general shape of a six-sidedpolygon.
 18. The medicinal vial protector and identifier system of claim16 wherein the first external perimeter has the general shape of acircle, the second external perimeter has the general shape of afour-sided polygon, and the third external perimeter has the generalshape of a three-sided polygon.
 19. The medicinal vial protector andidentifier system of claim 16 wherein the first external perimeter hasthe general shape of a circle, the second external perimeter has thegeneral shape of a four-sided polygon, and the third external perimeterhas the general shape of a five-sided polygon.
 20. The medicinal vialprotector and identifier system of claim 16 wherein the first externalperimeter has the general shape of a three-sided polygon, the secondexternal perimeter has the general shape of a four-sided polygon, andthe third external perimeter has the general shape of a six-sidedpolygon.